AP

HATE CRIMES AGAINST CHRISTIANS TRIPLE IN EUROPE, REPORT FINDS
Anit-Christian hate crimes in Europe skyrocketed by 226 per cent in 2023, according to a new report.  A review from the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) documented 2,444 hate crimes targeting Christians in 35 European countries, up from 749 incidents in 2022. Of these, 232 were personal attacks on Christians, ranging from harassment to physical violence and arson to the desecration of churches. Nearly a quarter of the vandalism involved intentional acts of desecration. The most affected countries were France, the UK, and Germany.
[Source: Premier Christian News]

SAVING CHILDREN IN THE UKRAINE WAR
The city of Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine has been under frequent missile attacks by Russian forces. In the past week alone, strikes in this eastern city have killed at least 17 people and injured more than 80, among them children. Eric Mock with Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) says the city has landed on a new way to protect their children. He told Mission Network News they are building a school underground. The school will have a roof that is hardened to withstand both conventional weapons and even nuclear attack. There is a nuclear power plant nearby, currently under Russian control. In what has been described as “the new normal”, SGA is providing practical support to Christians and helping them to share the Gospel across the country. Prayer is requested that peace will prevail in the hearts of God’s people so they can proclaim that peace to everyone. [Source: Mission Network News]

SEVEN CHILDREN AMONG NINE KILLED AS MYANMAR MILITARY BOMBS CHURCH
Nine people, including seven children, were killed and eleven people were injured, seven critically,  when the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) bombed a church in Kachin State near the border with China on 15 November. The Tatmadaw bomb struck the church in Konlaw village next to a camp sheltering people displaced by the fighting. “It hit kids from the camp who were playing in the area at the time, the camp itself and the church,” local spokesman Naw Bu said. “In just one family, the father, the mother, and all their kids, six people in total, died,” he added, announcing that nine people were killed in the airstrike.
Attacks against the Kachin people and other Christian-majority ethnic groups have increased since the Tatmadaw seized power in the coup of February 2021. The airstrike follows just two weeks after the bombing of the church in the home village of senior church leader Charles Maung Bo on 30 October in Sagaing Region.
PRAY that the Lord will comfort those who are mourning the loss of loved ones in this airstrike. Ask for a full recovery and physical, emotional and spiritual healing for those wounded. Pray for an end to such attacks on church buildings and camps for displaced people in Myanmar. [Source: Barnabas Aid]

CHRISTIANS SPEAKING OUT – OFFENSIVE PRODUCT WITHDRAWN
UNITED KINGDOM – Facing backlash, a European retailer has discontinued selling a Christmas-themed sweater bearing an inflammatory, pro-LGBT message. The purple sweater features a manger, is adorned with a rainbow, and is emblazoned with the message, “A gay in a manger” — a play on the 1800s hymn, “Away in a Manger.” A mug with the same design was also for sale. The items were manufactured by an “alternative brand” company, which has issued the following statement: “As a small business, we are always open to listening to feedback. We have now removed the highlighted products, our apologies. … The intention was not to offend or insult anyone.”
Christian Concern, an advocacy organization, condemned the selling of the sweatshirt, which it called “disgraceful,” urging followers to boycottthe product and the companies involed. [Source: Faithwire]

EGYPT APPROVES LICENSING OF 293 MORE CHURCHES
The government of Egypt approved the licensing of 293 churches and church-affiliated buildings on 21 October. This was the 28th batch of approvals granted since the government committee overseeing the licensing process began work in 2017. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly presided over the committee meeting, which reviewed the decisions taken at the previous session in January 2024. The decision brings the number of churches granted licences to 3,453 out of the 3,730 that applied for registration after a Law for Building and Restoring Churches abolished the previous  law which  severely restricted the granting of licences for constructing church buildings. To secure their licences, churches must prove ownership of land and fulfil structural and safety obligations, including the availability of fire extinguishers. In 2018 the government allowed Christians to worship in unlicensed buildings pending the completion of the registration process.
GIVE THANKS for the committee’s work in approving 293 licences to churches and church-affiliated buildings. Pray that the continuing legalisation process will lead to the reduction of hostility towards Christians from extremists in the Muslim-majority community. [Source: Barnabas Aid]

– compiled by Guido Kettniss